About
The aim of the Sunnyside Post is to provide readers with a day-to-day account of what’s happening in Sunnyside, Queens, New York City. There will be small news items, links to other stories and professionally-written articles.
The blog was started in 2009 by Christian Murray, Editor, who is a reporter by trade, spending several years covering politics at NEWSDAY and now writes about investment banking for Thomson Reuters. Murray got a graduate degree at the Columbia School of Journalism, and was nominated for a Pulitzer in 2001 for a story on a New York real estate scam. He is originally from New Zealand, is married to Janet Viana and has two children in Sunnyside.
The logo and website were redesigned in 2010 by Sunnyside artist/designer Patricia Dorfman, who pinch hits as blogger when Murray is on holiday.
Sunnyside is a hidden gem that’s never got much in the way of publicity. Many residents prefer it that way. It keeps home/apartment prices down and helps the neighborhood retain its friendly, easy-going spirit.
This laid-back feeling, which is felt throughout the neighborhood, is what keeps many of us here.
Each section of Sunnyside needs to be explored and has its own special charms. On the southern side of Queens Blvd, there is Spanish theater, Side Tracks, Pio Pio and a fantastic range of reasonably-priced cuisine. Meanwhile, on the northern side, nothing can beat the character and price of ”Center Cinemas” on Queens Blvd…to the array of pubs and restaurants that are mushrooming on Skillman Ave.
Sunnyside Center Cinema
Quick History of the Neighborhood
The completion of the Queensboro Bridge at the turn of last century led to the the development of Sunnyside and its neighboring areas.
Sunnyside Gardens was developed in 1924, and has always attracted actors, artists and theater folks. Many of the larger, six-story buildings went up in the 1930s.
The neighborhood has a rich Irish history. Many Irish immigrants throughout the past century–and recent ones too–have made Sunnyside their home.
However, in recent decades immigrants from South America, Korea, Turkey and Romania have settled in the area. The local “St. Pat’s for All Parade.” known for being gay-friendly, has brought media attention to the area.
The following Website provides an indepth review of Sunnyside’s history:
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/NEIGHBORHOODS/sunnyside/sunnyside.html
- Forgotten NY
Sunnyside
Sunnyside is about 17 minutes from Grand Central Station in Manhattan by the #7 subway. The train runs high above Queens Boulevard, which splits the neighborhood in half.
There are essentially two modes of living in Sunnyside, one for those in brick apartments with Tudor-style or crenellated roof lines, another for occupants of one- and two-family houses.
Sunnyside Gardens
Sunnyside Gardens, is officially designated as a landmark. It is famous for its use of outdoor common space, and was originally built as a more pleasant way of life for poorer city dwellers. is an area contained within 17 city blocks, with 535 row houses, 32 co-ops, and hundreds of rental apartments—all adjoined by garden spaces. Sunnyside Park, an original amenity of the neighborhood, is New York City’s largest private park, open to the larger community for certain activities and holidays. Parking garages and commercial shops are located at the edges of the neighborhood.
http://www.sunnysidegardens.us/index.html
Celtic Park
On the Southern side of Queens Blvd there is large, well-known development called Celtic Park. The following clip provides people with a close up of that area, which incorporates both the Sunnyside/Woodside neighborhoods.
